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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
14:09
Tilt Testing with Combined Lower Body Negative Pressure: a "Gold Standard" for Measuring Orthostatic Tolerance
Published on: March 21, 2013
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and orthostatic hypotension
Matteo Pezzoli1, Massimiliano Garzaro, Giancarlo Pecorari
11st ENT Division, Department of Physiopathology, University of Turin, Via Genova 3, 10126, Turin, Italy. ma.pezzoli@libero.it
Summary
This study explored the link between dizziness after benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and orthostatic hypotension (OH). While not statistically significant, higher OH prevalence suggests a role in post-BPPV dizziness.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common cause of dizziness.
- Persistent dizziness after BPPV treatment can impact quality of life.
- Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a condition characterized by a drop in blood pressure upon standing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential correlation between post-BPPV dizziness and orthostatic hypotension (OH).
- To assess the utility of the head-up tilt test (HUTT) in identifying OH in patients with persistent dizziness after BPPV.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-nine patients with a history of BPPV and successful repositioning maneuvers were enrolled.
- The head-up tilt test (HUTT) was employed to evaluate for orthostatic hypotension (OH).
Main Results:
- No statistically significant relationship was found between OH and persistent balance disorders after BPPV recovery.
- The prevalence of OH in the study sample (34%) and in those with post-BPPV balance disorders (40%) was higher than in the general population.
Conclusions:
- Orthostatic hypotension (OH) may contribute to the orthostatic dizziness experienced by patients after BPPV recovery.
- Non-invasive continuous blood pressure monitoring could enhance HUTT sensitivity for OH detection.
- Autonomic system anomalies should be considered in the differential diagnosis of persistent dizziness post-BPPV.
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